Bridge

The Young Chelsea bridge club, founded in 1968, has been marking its 40th anniversary with a programme of events. This weekend is the club's open teams challenge, and a simultaneous pairs event featuring deals from the club's history will be played at the Chelsea and other clubs on Sept 23. These events are open to all — if you'd like to play, contact the club on 020-7373 1665 or visit its website, www.ycbc.co.uk.

Although it has the greatest number of international players among its membership, the Young Chelsea caters equally well for those at a less exalted level. Today's deal comes from the final of the London Trophy — for "non-bridge clubs" — and the 2002 final was contested by the Chislehurst Golf Club and the Reform Club. Game all, dealer South:

North-South reached the good contract of spade6 by South, and West had an awkward opening lead to make. The singleton trump, not a recommended start against a slam, was the only lead from the West hand that did not give away the 12th trick at one, and the Reform Club's West player did well to find it. How would you play the hand as South?

You have 11 tricks on top, and a 12th may come in one of a number of ways. The club finesse is the best bet, since that is a 50% chance; more remote possibilities include the fall of the diamondQ and — though unlikely — the possession by one defender of the doubleton queen-jack of hearts. None of these chances appears to work, but the Chislehurst declarer made his contract in any case. He drew trumps in three rounds, played ace-king of hearts, ruffed a heart, and played three rounds of diamonds. Winning with the queen, West could do nothing, since a club exit would give three tricks in the suit and a diamond or heart would concede a ruff and discard.